Sgt J C Kneubuhler - Baltimore Crash

Trying to identify details of a crash of a 203 Sqdn Martin Baltimore on or about October 3rd 1943. Sgt John Kneubuhler s/n 1293716, was the navigator and the only survivor when they were attacked by e/a off Crete and crashed back on friendly territory. Sgt Kneubuhler being admitted into RAF Hospital Benghazi on Oct 3rd and then transferred to RAF Hospital Egypt 2 days later.

Researching on behalf of family members, any help or advice gratefully received. Have researched 203 Sqdn ORB's at National Archives but by they contain no details.

I believe the crew of a Baltimore was only 4 and quite cramped, so can't see how an extra crew member would fit anywhere. Could he have been injured trying to rescue them?
Edit: Just checked for burials but both show as Alamein Memorial, indicating they didn't recover the bodies, probably lost at sea.

Sgt J C Kneubuhler - Baltimore Crash

Thank you for the reply

Sgt Kneubuhler was part of the Robinson crew lost on Oct 5 1943 but he was listed as sick on the day which ties in with his service records that state that he was admitted to hospital on Oct 3 1943. That crew took off at 07.10 hours and after RDF was lost no further info is known of their loss.

He was flying ops on a regular basis up to Aug 28 1943 but from that time the ORB ceases to record individual flight details, I believe the Squadron was operating from several forward locations at this time and very shortly thereafter moved to India.

The details from the family are very sketchy but he did spend 6 months in hospital and was "Mentioned in Despatches." Details remembered by the family say that they were attacked by e/a got back to friendly territory but crashed on landing the remainder of the crew being burnt in the crash.

Could he have been part of a crew shot down as described but earlier than the date you originally gave? His injuries/wounds may have worsened, resulting in the 6 month hospitalisation?
They lost 2 RAF aircrew on 10th July but both recorded on Alamein Memorial, and this SAAF chap on 13th July, but can't find any other casualty, perhaps the rest of the crew also survived, just got distorted over the years?
Name: NOTTINGHAM, HUGH WILLIAMS
Initials: H W
Nationality: South African
Rank: Lieutenant (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: South African Air Force
Unit Text: 203 Sqdn.
Date of Death: 13/07/1943
Service No: 97291V
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 7. A. 17.
Cemetery: PHALERON WAR CEMETERY

The pilot HUGH WILLIAMS NOTTINGHAM was South African and his Death Cert and Probate records below explain why his Date of Death is 3 days after rest of crew, it appears he died as PoW on 13th July 1943 - while rest of crew died 3 days earlier

Baltimore III AG917 - took off at 1115 piloted by Lt H W Nottingham SAAF, accompanied by two Beaufighters. Hit by flak during the strike, only the pilot succeeded in baling out before it plunged into the sea off Crete. His three crew* are commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, while Nottingham, who was apparently injured or wounded, died in captivity three days later and is buried in Athens.

See:
For Your Tomorrow A Record of New Zealanders who have Died while Serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 - Volume Two: Fates 1943-1998.
Martyn,Errol W.
Christchurch:Volplane Press,1999.
p.118 (see also: FYT3/p.412[bio])